Albuquerque Business First reports on House Bill 93, which requires utilities to develop 'advanced grid technology plans.' United's Michael Barrio explains how the bill aims to ensure the grid delivers power more affordably, efficiently, and reliably while accelerating clean energy.
House Bill 93, Advanced Grid Technology Plans, introduced in New Mexico's 2025 legislative session, aims to modernize the state's electric grid by encouraging public utilities to adopt advanced technologies.
The overall goal of House Bill 93 is to enhance the state's energy infrastructure, promote the use of renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide more reliable and cost-effective electricity to New Mexicans.
“It’s important because we're facing some challenges with our with our grid here in New Mexico,” said Rep. Kristina Ortez (D- Dist. 42).
Instead of building new transmission lines, utilities can use lines that already exist and make them more efficient, according to Ortez.
The bill requires utilities to create "advanced grid technology plans" that detail how they'll implement new hardware and software to make the grid more efficient, reliable, and capable of handling renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
These plans should address issues like reducing congestion on power lines, improving grid stability, and integrating clean energy. Utilities are also encouraged to use innovative technologies such as advanced conductors, dynamic line ratings, and advanced power flow controllers.
To support these upgrades, the bill allows utilities to recover their costs through approved rate adjustments, ensuring they have the financial means to invest in the grid.
Additionally, distribution cooperative utilities must include information about their advanced grid technology efforts in their annual reports.
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Michael Barrio oversees state-level policy and engagement efforts in Arizona and New Mexico as senior principal at Advanced Energy United. The organization is a national trade association that represents the spectrum of technologies represented by clean energy.
“This bill is about is making sure that our grid is ready for everything that we hope to see in this state, especially with regard to economic development,” Barrio said.
This includes major power producers, and consumers like organizations and companies that might, for example, set up data centers, in addition to the technology that makes those endeavors possible which might include software, photovoltaics for solar panels and more.
Barrio is typically seeking to advance policies that expand markets for the technologies, helping them to reach the energy transition, a set of fairly ambitious goals in New Mexico.
House Bill 93 does ask utilities to file what is being referred to as “advanced grid technology plans” with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Plans would focus on efforts to reduce grid congestion, improve reliability and accelerate clean energy. They would also include plans on how to deploy strategies.
The bill also allows for cost recovery for grid enhancing technologies, through tariff writers or base rates.
“In short, it’s really about using the grid that we currently have more efficiently to help deliver power faster and at lower costs, and at the same time ensure that utilities can recover investments in those upgrades,” Barrio said.
This is especially helpful because utilities will not have to wait for transmission lines and other essential components needed for grid modernization efforts.
“I'm really excited about the possibility of generating clean energy and getting that onto the grid and getting it moved to where it needs to go, but it takes all kind of energy to power the lines and (the bill is) kind of energy-neutral,” Ortez said.
The bill passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee yesterday, and is now headed to the Senate floor.
Read the full article here.